The Cowgirls trailed just 13-7 after hitting a 3-pointer at the buzzer of the first quarter.

The Midgets picked up the pace over the next two quarters though, especially the third, when they outscored C-G 23-2 and cruised to an 80-27 victory.

Article Photos

Emily Kirchner (20) and the sixth-ranked Estherville Lincoln Central Midgets dominated Clarion-Goldfield in Friday’s Class 2A Region 3 semifinal game in Algona. Above, Kirchner goes in for two of her 18 points as teammate Taylor Lago (30) awaits a possible rebound.EDN photo by David Swartz

"The first quarter we didn't finish, but we were getting the shots we wanted," said ELC coach Brad Leonard. "Emily Kirchner got us going and gave us good energy."

The Midgets will return to Algona Monday for the Region 3 final against Roland-Story. Roland-Story advanced to the final with a 57-49 victory over South Hamilton.

Kirchner scored eight of ELC's 13 points in the first period. The Midgets went to the free-throw line 14 times and made seven in that first quarter.

ELC opened up the second quarter with a 7-0 run started by a baseline jumper from Macy Dahl a layup by Kirchner and a 3-ointer by Sara Heywood.

ELC 6-2 center Alyssa Johnson then started to go to work inside as she scored 10 of ELC's next 16 points as ELC led 36-11.

The Cowgirls finally hit from long range when Jossie Sann hit a 3-pointer, but ELC's Casey Sievert answered and ELC led 39-14 at the break.

The third quarter was nearly all ELC. The Midget defense clamped down while the offense kicked into high year with Johnson, Heywood, Allie Sievert and Kirchner all scoring in a 21-0 run. C-G's Mackenzie Haupt ended the drought with a pair of free throws, but that was all they would get in the period.

ELC's bench took the floor in the final period and kept pace with the Cowgirls.

Johnson finished the night with a game-high 21 points while Kirchner had 18. Casey Sievert came off the bench to score 14 while Heywood had 11, Allie Sievert had seven, Taylor Lago had four, Dahl and Caitlyn Clayton each had two and Megan Jensen had one.

ELC (23-2) played Roland-Story (20-4) in the 2011 Class 2A semifinal. The Midgets won that game 36-24.

Roland-Story is led by Britny Halleland who averages 17.1 points per game. She shoots 46.4 percent (51-of-110) from 3-point range and 81.3 percent (47-of-91) from the free throw line. She also shoots 59.6 percent (134-of-270) from the field.